Chapter 127: Walking Right Into the Trap
Going insane?
Never able to practice swordsmanship again?
Hearing these keywords, Chun Lan’s heart skipped a beat.
But she kept telling herself that this guy must be trying to trick her; she couldn’t fall for it.
“You’re just a wild mountain cultivator, how would you know that I’m off track?”
“To be honest,” Sang Zhe said with a face full of sorrow, “my father once fell into a bottleneck in swordsmanship and had no choice but to sample and practice all the world’s sword techniques.”
“However, he encountered sword techniques that didn’t match his attributes but stubbornly insisted on practicing them.”
“In the end, one moment of carelessness led him to insanity, and he died in regret.”
He deliberately displayed an extreme expression of sorrow as he spoke.
Seeing his serious expression, as if he had truly touched upon a painful spot, Chun Lan couldn’t help but feel a bit uneasy in her heart.
“Y-you’re telling the truth?”
“Sigh, if the lady doesn’t believe me, just forget I said anything.”
Sang Zhe turned his head with a wistful expression. “It’s just a pity. It’s rare to have such exceptional talent in swordsmanship, looks so delicate and pretty, and has such a gentle and refined character.”
“To waste such talent because of going down the wrong path…”
“Just thinking about it makes my heart ache.”
Chun Lan couldn’t help but lower her head, feeling nervous.
Is he trying to trick me?
But it doesn’t seem like it. His expression is so convincing.
And he has indeed noticed that my swordsmanship has hit a bottleneck.
Could it be…
She couldn’t help but shake her head vigorously, pouting, “I-I still can’t believe you.”
“I’ll ask the palace master tomorrow!”
After saying that, the little girl quickly ran away.
Once she left, Sang Zhe’s expression shifted back to indifference, and he casually started eating.
… As long as she goes to find Gu Yingmian.
Half of his plan would be successful.
After all, she might not believe him, but if Gu Yingmian said it…
She would definitely take it as the ultimate truth.
——
——
Back at her residence, Chun Lan barely slept a wink all night.
Even though she didn’t think a nameless wild mountain cultivator could see through a problem that even the palace master couldn’t detect.
But she was indeed stuck at a bottleneck in her swordsmanship.
With the Sword Palace Competition approaching, Chun Lan wasn’t worried about her own strength.
But young girls are always sensitive and delicate in thought.
She tossed and turned all night, and early the next morning during morning class, Chun Lan rushed to the main hall to look for Gu Yingmian.
“Palace Master.”
“May I ask if my swordsmanship has truly gone astray?” she asked a bit anxiously.
Gu Yingmian, however, remained silent for a long time.
After quite a while, she spoke slowly:
“… Who told you that?”
“It’s…”
Chun Lan initially wanted to say it was the man who intruded into the Sword Palace.
But then she thought about how he was still in confinement, and she would get scolded for interacting with him.
“It’s that I encountered a bottleneck in my sword practice and felt confused… I hope the palace master can guide me.”
Gu Yingmian gave her a shallow glance.
“You’re right, but not entirely.”
Chun Lan’s heart skipped a beat.
“I know you have a strong spirit, and the sword techniques you use tend to be excessively aggressive and flashy.”
“So, I initially had you practice soft and agile techniques.”
“I intended for you to refine your temperament and eventually achieve a balance between softness and hardness.”
“But it seems that didn’t work well.”
“Your temperament doesn’t seem to be something that can just be smoothed out by practicing techniques.”
Chun Lan couldn’t help but feel anxious: “Then what should I do…”
“Start over.”
Gu Yingmian said softly, “This time, I’ll teach you a set of powerful and aggressive sword techniques.”
“When you’ve practiced this set to your current level, I’ll gradually help you reconcile the balance between hardness and softness in swordsmanship.”
Start over?!
To Chun Lan, that was like a thunderbolt out of a clear sky.
She had poured everything into practicing the previous set of techniques, day and night.
Finally, she had achieved her current level and stood out among her peers.
Now she was being told to just switch to another set…
“Palace Master, I…”
“Chun Lan.” Gu Yingmian’s voice was light and melodious, “The path of swordsmanship is indeed the path of the Great Way.”
“The Great Way is vast; how many people spend their lives aspiring to understand even a fraction?”
“Being able to master it is not easy, and the time and effort required are beyond measure.”
“It’s even normal for someone to spend a hundred years on a single sword technique.”
“You should look further ahead. My way of teaching you is for a good reason.”
“Though it seems you are starting over now, it’ll save you from unnecessary detours in the future.”
Seeing Chun Lan still looking downcast, Gu Yingmian continued:
“As disciples of the Sword Palace, we should pursue the path of the sword without fear of hardship or challenges.”
“Even if you’re starting to practice sword techniques from scratch, I still allow you and your sister to be your personal sword attendants.”
“You must not be impatient for quick success or aim too high. You need to be grounded.”
Her words were filled with emotion and reason.
Even if Chun Lan felt dejected and unwilling, she could only slowly bow her head: “Yes… Palace Master.”
——
——
In truth, Chun Lan wasn’t unable to understand Gu Yingmian’s good intentions.
She certainly knew that her palace master had profound skills in swordsmanship, and would never harm her.
But the Sword Palace Competition was just around the corner.
At this crucial moment, she was still being told to start over and practice a completely new set of techniques she had never touched before.
That moment of defeat and disappointment was just too much for a girl of her age.
Lost in thought, Chun Lan suddenly realized that she had unknowingly arrived at the confinement room.
Standing at the door, the face of that man floated in her mind.
Although that man was somewhat annoying.
Yet he really hadn’t lied to her.
He truly had seen through her swordsmanship problem and even pinpointed the key issue.
Which meant that his skills in swordsmanship were already far beyond those of her fellow disciples.
Perhaps, in the Sword Flower Palace, only the palace master could confidently overshadow him, right?
Then.
Could he have the solution to my problem?
As soon as that thought emerged in Chun Lan’s mind, she quickly shook it away.
N-no, I can’t trust an outsider.
The palace master said to follow her method. Although it requires patience now, it’s ultimately beneficial for my swordsmanship in the long run…
But what if.
What if that man really knows the solution?
Even if it’s just to help me get through this Sword Palace Competition…
With countless thoughts racing through her mind, Chun Lan felt more conflicted than ever, unable to decide.
Just then, a ghostly voice full of mischief rang in her ears:
“Li’l~ Miss~”
“What are you thinking about~?”
Chun Lan jumped in fright, quickly looking up.
Right into Sang Zhe’s grinning face.
At that moment, Sang Zhe was peering through the window by the confinement room door, wearing a smile akin to that of a creepy uncle, staring at her with mischievous intent.
“Got something on your mind? Why don’t you come in and sit for a bit~?”
“The confinement room is actually quite spacious, you know~”
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